1044 Impact of COVID 19 on endometrial cancer follow-up strategies

Abstract

Introduction/Background∗ The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on many aspects of healthcare, with changes in clinical practice aimed at reducing hospital appointments for patients who are classified as clinically vulnerable. In oncology this has resulted in a move towards the uptake of innovative follow-up schemes, such as patient-initiated or telephone follow-up, in particular for patients who are deemed to be at lower risk of recurrence. The aim of this study was to explore clinician's views of the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the uptake of such schemes and the challenges in maintaining such schemes in the future. Methodology A mixed methods study was performed consisting of an online questionnaire of clinical nurse specialists and a qualitative interview study of clinicians involved in the follow-up of patients after a diagnosis of endometrial cancer. The interviews were conducted virtually, audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis. Result(s)∗ In total, 22 clinical nurse specialists responded to the survey. Interview participants included gynaecological oncologists, cancer unit gynaecologist, oncologists and clinical nurse specialists. There was universal support to reduce faceto- face consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic and strong support for telephone and patient initiated follow-up. 70% of the participants of the online survey reported that in their opinion COVID-19 pandemic had had an impact on their clinic service by causing accelerated transition to patient initiated or telephone follow-up. The participants also reported patient support for the introduction of virtual follow- up compared to face-to-face appointments. Conclusion∗ The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a transition towards telephone and patient initiated follow-up for the follow-up of endometrial cancer. Further research is needed to ensure that these schemes are able to address patients' clinical and information needs if the change from face-to-face clinical follow-up is to be continued following the COVID-19 pandemic.